Sunday, January 17, 2010

I must admit that I did not predict this. I thought that Ohio State's goal would be to control the clock, make first downs and keep the ball away from Oregon. Ohio State succeeded on each account, to the tune of nearly 42 minutes of time of possession.. What I did not expect was that OSU would do so through an mix of quick dropback and playaction passing, the inside run game, and Terrelle Pryor's legs. When one reviews the tape, though, it becomes clear that OSU had a great gameplan for what Oregon was trying to do.

1. This game contained a great chess match. As expected, Oregon showed a variety of looks at OSU. But it can effectively summed up as follows:

--Against Ohio State's pro formations, Oregon largely employed a 4-3 "open plus" (3 and 5 technique strong with their strongside Lber over the TE and other Linebackers stacked) with their backside safety walked up as the 8th man. Oregon also heavily favored the strong-side of the formation.

--Against OSU's shotgun looks, Oregon mixed in heavy doses of 6 and 7 man blitzes with soft man coverage behind it, with looks where they would rush 3, leave their 4th linemen 'spying' Pryor, and play Quarter-Quarter-Half coverage behind it to try and double Posey.

To break this down, Oregon brought multiple blitzes, but their favorite was a favorite for them all year; what some call a "Florida" blitz, where two linebackers come off the weak edge with the line then stunting strong (though Oregon generally ran this with man coverage behind it). (H/T: Smart Football).

Oregon's goal, as they made clear during the run-up to the Rose Bowl was to rattle Pryor. They then tried to mix in the Quarter-Quarter-Half coverage. This coverage, among other things, rolls towards one side of the field, allowing a team to 'bracket' the offense's best receiver.

Oregon mixed in this coverage, likely in the hope that Pryor would be rattled from all the blitzing and try to force balls to Posey. Oregon's ultimate goal was to take away OSU's inside power running game first, and make Pryor beat them with his arms and legs.

2. Ohio State did a very effective job attacking these looks and had a great gameplan.

--First, Ohio State just wore Oregon out by running one play that had a simple yet multifaceted coverage beater to each side. It was a five man pattern featuring double slants to one side and a 'snag' combination to the other. Snag is a 3-man route where the outermost receiver runs a snag or scat route, the inner receiver running a flag, and the back releasing to the flat.

Here is the play in full (you can also see above)

This play provided Ohio State multiple benefits. First, it was part of the quick passing game so it allowed Pryor to throw before the blitz came. Second, putting these routes to each side actually provided '3' coverage beaters.

It provided a man coverage beater in the double slants and a zone coverage beater in the snag.

Against zone, it had both a cover 2 beater in the slant and a cover 3 (or other 4 man underneath zone) beater in the snag.

Finally, it provided quick hot routes to either side against the blitz.

Ohio State gameplanned very well in designing this play against the myriad of blitzes they knew Oregon would show. The double slants were particularly effective against the loose coverage Oregon was playing behind their blitzes; sometimes it was like stealing.

This was the primary play OSU used to control the clock passing.

--Second, OSU also did a nice job utilizing play-action. The next two primary plays they utilized fall into this category. First, out of shotgun, they used a quick half-roll off of zone read to hit the inside receiver on a quick out following under a fly route.

--Third, Ohio State then looked to make 'big' plays off their I-formation play action passing game, particularly their 2-man smash routes off the 'Dave' play-action rollouts. OSU thus used their 'shotgun-spread' passing game to control the clock and their I formation play-action passing game to make big plays. While this may seem paradoxical at first, it is a tried and true rule for two reasons. First, in a pro-formation the offense has more pass protectors to give the QB more time to hit plays downfield. Second, the safeties creep up to stop the run, opening holes. As can be seen here, OSU was able to draw up Oregon's safeties who were continually playing run against OSU's I formation, allowing big plays.

Ohio State was also able to design plays to take advantage of Oregon's blitzes; for example the wheel route to Saine is one where they guessed correctly that Oregon was running their 'Florida blitz, leaving Saine streaking down the sideline past the dropping Defensive End.

--Finally, Ohio State was able to get positive plays for Pryor running on the edge due to Oregon's emphasis on stopping the inside running game. Oregon's safeties were playing hard downhill, allowing Pryor get to the edge. The last drive was perhaps the best example with the called Dave rollout runs, but Ohio State was able to do so in the zone read game also. Oregon was selling out to stop the give, leaving the keep open in key situations.

In all these instances, Ohio State perfectly gameplanned for what Oregon likes to do. Oregon could not get a pass rush with their defensive front, so they knew they needed to blitz. But to try to avoid giving up big plays, they played loose man coverage. OSU moved the ball up and down the field hitting quick slants and outs in front of that coverage, eating up chunks of yards and clock.

2. It goes without saying that Pryor played a very good game. Perhaps most impressively, he did a very nice job diagnosing Oregon's coverage and blitzes, stepping into the pockets and hitting the quick routes. In addition, what sometimes gets overlooked--because he makes it look so easy--is just how important some of his individual efforts were running the football. Time and again he would pick up critical first downs. He did his best job yet of running North and South and running physically. That is very demoralizing to a defense and sustained multiple drives.

3. Posey took his game to another level. I have at times been critical of the Wide Receiver's this year, particularly in being physical off the line of scrimmage, running crisp routes, and concentration. But Posey really showed marked improvement--he was extremely physical and went up and made plays. Because of this, as noted, Oregon went to quite a bit of quarter-quarter-half coverage. This opened things up for Dane on the quick outs and slants. Though Dane was still getting bottled up too often off the line against press coverage, he did a nice job making plays. The improved wide receiver play was nearly as important to the offense's success as Pryor.

4. The offensive line played very, very well. There is no doubt that they became the strength of this offense by the end of the year. Oregon had no chance of getting pressure without blitzing. And, for all the exotic looks they saw, the Line largely did a good job of picking things up, other than Cordle and Shugarts occasionally getting beat off the edge by stunting linemen. They dominated Oregon in run blocking--Shugarts, Browning, and Ballard were particularly impressive; I think this was Ballard's best blocking game this year. And it was great to see the offense pick up every third and fourth and short. Oregon knew we were going to run the 'Dave' play but could not stop it. Everyone could see how pumped Tressel was about this on the last drive and it cannot be considered anything but a big step forward from where things started with the Navy game. The offensive line cannot be considered anything but a strength as OSU heads into next year.

5. I hate ending on a negative note, but my one real critique is the tailback play. Though they did well in the pass game, they had bad games running the football. I cannot tell you how many big run plays were left on the field by Herron and Saine missing holes--it was disappointing to see (one example is on the 'Dave' play in the first video clip above-rather than following his Z. Boren kicking out in the 'C' gap where the play is supposed to go he runs right into the frontsides down blocks).

I have seen them have better games, but vision is neitherof their strong suits and I do not know whether that is something you can really 'develop.' To me, this is the major area that, as of now,will hold back OSU's offense going forward next year. It really puts a lot of pressure on the OLine to be perfect and Pryor to be a major factor with his legs.

Putting that aside, though, this was a very good performance by the coaching staff and offensive unit. OSU perfectly dissected what Oregon's scheme and devised a gameplan to both attack it and control the clock. Then, Pryor and the offense played at a high level throughout the game and repeatedly made key plays. A great victory and a good omen going forward. The Play-by-Play below.

SECOND HALF
1st Possession-Ore 17-16. OSU 20
1st-10: Gun ace left. Ore-4-3 overshift. 1 high. Motion to tight
trips. Zone read left. Nice blocks at the POA. Brewster does not
sustain his block quite long enough, but Cordle lets his guy go
upfield and Boren gets to the second level and stalemates the LB. 5
yd gain.
2d-5: Gun trips right. Ore 4-3 over shifted a gap further strong
(something they do often). 1 high. Bubble screen. Nice run by Dane,
setting up the cut inside. 7 yd gain.
1st-10: I twins left. Ore 4-3 open plus. Dave right. HUGE hole
right where the play is supposed to go. Great kick out by Z. Boren
and down blocks by Ballard and Shugarts. But for whatever reason
Saine does not follow his lead blockers and instead runs inside into
traffic. Could have been a big play, instead only 2 yards. The TBs
left a lot of yards on the field.
2d-8: I twins right. Ore Eagle 1 high. Fake Dave rollout left.
Smash combo. Ore safeties bite on the fake. Pryor does a great job
setting his feet and throwing a perfect ball over Posey’s back
shoulder. 36 yd gain. 9:15 3d quarter
1st-10: Gun tight trips right stron. Ore-Overshifted 4-3 over. 1
high. Fake zone left, roll right. Smash route. Ore squeezes to the
run, great job by Pryor delivering the ball before Ore’s OLB recovers.
6 yd gain. Great use of playaction on this drive.
2d-5: I twins left. Ore-4-2-5 look. 1 high. Stretch left. Really
nice job by Cordle and Brewster locking their men and getting hats to
the play side. Saine turns it up and gets 4.
3d-1: Double tight I right. Ore 4-4 pinch 1 high. Dave left. Big
push by Ballard on the frontside DE, great kickout and pull by Boren
and Browning, and then really nice job by Saine sticking his nose
right up the field for the first down. Ore had 9 guys in the box with
their playside DE sitting in C gap and still did not stop it.
1st-10: Gun motion to tight trips right stron. Ore-4-3 double A gap.
Zone read left. Brewster gets tossed by the playside 1 technique,
who blows up the play. Pryor should have kept the ball.
2d-13: Gun tight trips right stron. Ore-3-3 2 high. Dropback.
Flood left Ore brought 7-3 off the right. Dane and Ballard wide open.
Dane had it but laid out and dropped it. Nice job getting rid of the
ball,.
3d-13: Gun ace left. Or-3-4. 1 high. Ore brings 7. Nice job by the
right side of the line picking it up. Dane open on skinny post, but
Pryor throws the hot route and Dane runs his route-miscommunication.
Dane needed to cut off his break.
4th-FG
Second Possession: OSU 19-17. OSU 20
1st-10: OSU I left. Ore 4-3 under 1 high. Fake Dave left. Ore bit
hard on playfake. Nice job by Boren kicking out the end, Pryor
stepped up in the pocket and delivered a strike to Posey on the out.
Ballard ran a shallow cross. First time I’ve seen them run this play
from a non-twins set. 15 yd out.
1st-5 (offsides): Gun split backs left. Ore 4-3 over strong. 2
high. Outsise zone right. False start
1st-10: Gun split backs left. Ore 4-3 under 1 high. Fake outside
zone left, boot right. May have had Ballard on the delay route, but
Rowe stayed home and made the play. 5 yd loss.
2d-15: Gun empty. Ore 3-3 shift to field. 1 high. QB draw. Nice
initial set-up. Ballard did not have a good stalk block of Rowe, but
Pryor drills him with a stiff arm that knocks a DE down. 6 yd gain.
3d-8: Gun ace right. Ore-3-4. 1 high. 3 man rush. Cover 1 robber.
Nice protection. Pryor has Posey going down the sideline but lofts
it up and leaves it short. Interception. Herron’s guy had slipped
but Pryor did not see him.
Third Possession: OSU 19-17. OSU 12
1st-10: I right. Ore 4-3 under 2 high. ISO right. Good blocking by
J. Boren on the backside completely locking his man down. Nice cut by
Saine and then runs over the safety and knocks his helmet off-their
safeties were flying down all game. 5 yd gain.
2d-5: I twins left. Ore-4-3 over 1 high. Dave right. Great
kick-out by Z. Boren-huge hole outside by Saine missed the cut and ran
into the defense. 2 yd gain.
3d-3: Gun ace left. Oregon brings 7. Double slants left. Just a
tad beyond Sanz’ reach.
4th-Punt
Fourth Possession: OSU 19-17. OSU 21
1st-10: Gun ace left. Ore-4-3 over. 2 high. Dropback. Nice initial
job by Cordle and Shugarts on the edges. Then amazing run by Pryor
through an arm tackle for 12 yds. 12:10 4th.
1st-10: Gun tight trips right strong. Ore 4-3 tight. 1 high.
Corner blitz. Zone read left. Ore backside end did not respect the
keep and ran Boom down from behind. Too bad because very good push
from Shugarts and Browning. 3 yd gain.
2d-8: Gun tight trips right. Ore 4-3 over tight. 1 high. Fake zone
read left, boot quick out to Sanz. 5 yd gain. 11:25.
3d-5: Gun ace left strong. Ore-3-3-5. 2 high. Giving Dane a 15 yd
cushion. That is stealing. Double slant, snag combo.
1st-10: I left. Ore 4-3 tight. 1 high. Dave rollout right. Boren
and Boom run into each other. Pryor takes off back across the
field-huge hole except Rowe is able to trip him up from behind for a 1
yd loss.
2d-11: Shift to Gun tight trips strong. Ore 3-3-5. Sprint option
right. Pryor had the cutback, but slipped. 1 yd loss.
3d-12: Gun ace right. Ore-3-3-5 2 high. Dropback. Double post,
flood right. Ore 3 deep. Cordle gets beat off the edge, Pryor rolls
outside, hits Ballard as he releases deep off the scramble. Amazing
catch. 25 yd gain
1st-10: Gun twins left. Fake zone right, boot left. Smash. Hits
Dane on quick out. Incomplete.
2d-10: Ace tight bunch left unbalanced. Ore 4-3 open plus. Dave
left. Nice frontside blocking blocking down and locking up the
frontside. Herron tiptoes a bit, gets 4.
3d-6: Gun ace right. Ore 3-4 2 high. Ore all blitz-brings 7. Zone
read left. The backside safety bit down enough for Pryor to get the
edge and stiffarm him. He’s then able to outrun everyone else for a
first down. Huge individual play by him.
1st-10: I twins left. Ore-4-3 open plus. 1 high. ISO right. Huge
hole on the right side. Shugarts pancakes the DE and Browning drove
his guy down. Z. Boren then pancakes the LBer. Herron completely
misses the hole and runs up Brewster’s back. I saw this WAY too many
times this game. 2 yard gain.
2d-8: Gun split back rights. Dropback. Ore Cover 2. Nice
protection. Ore had no hope of getting a pass rush without blitzing.
Stop-fade to Posey. Perfect throw and great catch. TD.

Fifth Possession-OSU 26-17. OSU 27
1st-10: I twins right. Ore 4-3 open plus. 1 high. Stretch right.
Browning gets beat but for whatever reason Saine cuts inside. If he
follows Boren he makes a positive play.
2d-12: Motion to Gun tight trips strong. Ore-4-3 over. 1 high.
Load option right. Pryor makes the pitch—should have done so earlier.
Nice blocking by Washington on the edge. 10 yd gain.
3d-2: Gun double tight strong right. Ore 4-2-5. 1 high. Load
option right. Great run by Pryor getting up the field and running
physical for the first down. 5 yd gain.Very nice job at the POA by
Shugarts and Browning creating the hole. Shugarts kept his head
playside and ran with the DE, and Browning wheeled and turned his guy
inside.
1st-10: Double Tight I left. Dave right. Saine again misses the
hole. This play is a C gap play. The FB kicks out the pulling Guard
seals. The TB needs to follow those two and run between them. It is
a hole to bounce play. Again and again the TBs would run up inside
right where the down blocks are taking place and miss big holes. 2 yd
gain.
2d-8: Double tight I left. Ore 4-3 open plus. 1 high. 3 min left.
Fake Dave called run rollout left. Great job by Boren on the edge
locking down the playside corner allowing Pryor to get around the
edge. 7 yard gain.
3d-1: Double tight I right. Ore 4-3 open plus. Dave left. Nice job
by Browning pulling and sealing off the traffic and of Saine sticking
his head in there for the first. 3 yd gain.
1st-10: Double tight I right. Ore 4-3 open plus. 1 high. ISO left.
The safety filled immediately and made the play for a 1 yd gain.
2d-9: Tight I right. Ore 4-3 over tight. Dave fake keep right.
Great blocks by the Boren brothers-pancacked the playside LBer. Big
space for TP to run 13 yd gain.
1st-10: Tigh I left: Ore 4-3 open plus 1 high. ISO right. Nice cut
by Boom in traffic around Browning taking his guy inside. 4 yd gain.
Victory Formation.

7 comments:

As always thanks for the breakdown boulderbuck. Look forward to your blog entries. On the running game, I really hope to see a lot more of Jordan Hall next year, and it will be interesting to see what J. Berry can do.

While I really enjoyed the commentary and insight into the game...remember that not everybody is a high school football coach. I was able to figure out phrases like "give" and "take" but there were several phrases and formations that you did not even attempt to explain. For most of them, a simple parenthetical aside of a few sentences would have sufficed.